Notes on GA COMO presentation

For those of you that have been waiting, thanks for your patience! Here are the brief notes on my presentation and thoughts on programs.

This is a bit long, but as through as I could be on my notes. If you have questions please let me know

2nd slide: if you are interested in Open Source ILS please let me know and I'll put you in touch with people that are in the know on those.

4th slide: examples of some free programs that most people are familiar with, what others one do you know?

5th slide: By a show of hands choose top 2 or three topics your interested in and we'll cover examples of those topics (note in presentation audience wanted to cover all topics. As such we were not able to get to computer protection or other)
Other includes: file conversion, online storage, and free website/hosting

6th slide: Document alternatives

1. Open Office--includes word, spreadsheet, database, PPT, draw, and math formulas (just launched updated version recently)
2. IBM Lotus--relatively new document, spreadsheet, and PPT
3. Zoho--full suite of applications, just launched e-mail. All kinds of items, check it out
4. Google Documents--showcased. Easy to share documents and collaborate with others. PPT, spreadsheet, documents, just launched forms. Very similar in layout to Microsoft office.
5. Slideshare--way to share PPT presentations, just expanded into other areas.

7th-13th slide: Screen Shots of Google Documents
14th slide: Photo Editing

1. Paint.net--powerful paint/photo/design software. Equivalent of Adobe Photoshop/Draw in many ways.
2. Gimp--similar to Paint.net. Complex tool, but lots of good features. Does take time to learn
3. Artweaver--New, haven't explored much yet.
4. Picnik--integrated with Flickr. Basic photo editing techniques. Has pay version with more features
5. FotoFlexer--Most advanced online photo editing tool. Basic tools, plus effects such as stickers, paiting, sepia, etc. Has easy integration (via API's) with social networking tools. Was software showcased. *NEW* has a feature to create posters (inspirational or other), black border.

15th-20th slide: Screen Shots of FotoFlexer
21st-22nd slide: Laugh break and stay on target!

23rd slide: Screen sharing

1. 12seconds--not screen sharing but cool feature. You have 12 seconds to share a message with others. All hosting done online. Requires a webcam
2. Screencast-O-Matic--software demonstrated. Requires Java to run. Very simple easy to use. Doesn't cover full screen so you have to move box around to capture what you're showcasing. Way to demonstrate how to navigate website, database, etc. Limited to 15 minutes, but be honest who wants to listen to something longer than 15 minutes? Can export quicktime file to host where you choose, or host on their server. No download!
3. Jing--very basic, only 5 minutes. can only be hosted on their server.
4. CamStudio--requires download. Has many of the same features of Screencast-O-Matic. Does require a download.
5. CaptureFox--new add on for FireFox. Very basic at this point. Somewhat stilted, but will likely work past it's bugs to grow.

24th-27th slide: Screen shots of Screen-Cast-O-Matic

28th slide: Online Meeting Collaboration

1. ooVoo--chat with a webcam. Very limited. Requires a download, somewhat difficult to navigate.
2. Skype--one of the most popular applications to make phone calls and chat with people while away.
3. DimDim--online meeting collaboration, whiteboard, sharing desktop. borad based.
4. WiZiQ--software demonstarted. Share desktop, whiteboard, easy to collaborate. Does have a pay version that has more features (such as storing the recording for a set amount of time.) Can take test online, share documents, has storage so that you don't have to wait to upload documents, does it automatically.
5. Doodle--shcedule a meeting or a pool. Limited, but does what its meant to.

29th-37th slide: Screen shots of WizIq

(did not get to these last slides)
38th slide: Computer Protection
(if demo was provided it would be live features running on laptop--AVG and Firewall)

• AVGfree--paid version exisits with more features, but AVGfree does the basics very well. Make sure you read the license carefully as my interpretation is that it can't be used for business use, only personal. Will update and run scans automatically depending upon the setting that you provide.
• Spybot--paid version provides more options, such as automatic scanning and updating. Free version does a good job of catching spyware, but user most remember to run it and download updates. Simple to use interface and fairly easy to navigate.
• PC Tools Firewall--provides complex coverage of system and ability to manipulate. First couple of weeks requires constant tweaking to provide maximum coverage, but afterwards is a good way monitor and block programs trying to access the internet or make changes to computer's registry without permission.

39th slide: Other

1. Zamzar.com--convert files from one type to another easily, ranging from documents to video files to other. Upload file and it will send converted file to your e-mail address.
2. Weebly.com--software to be demoed. many places to host free blog, not so many to host free website. This site allows for both and for sites to be integrated. Does have pay version, but free version allows for the basics that most users would be looking for.
3. ADrive.com--provides 50gb of online storage for free. Great way to store documents wihout worrying about losing a flash drive. Can handle multiple formats of files. Some limitations. Does have pay versions that allow for greater features.

40th slide : Screen shot of Weebly

41st slide: Sources for information
Places to check for free alternatives and new tools to use

42nd slide: reminders

1. Always, always check the license to make sure you agree with what you want to do!
2. If downloading a program that your not familiar with, check download.com or softpedia.com to make sure that programs are spyware/virus free.

Any questions please feel free to contact me.